Vendors offer fresh fruit, crafts, bites to eat

People enjoy the 2011 North Carolina Apple Festival in downtown Hendersonville.

Special to the Times-News/TIMES-NEWS

By Leigh KelleyTimes-News Staff Writer

Published: Wednesday, August 29, 2012 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, August 28, 2012 at 9:04 p.m.

Cold and creamy ice cream, beautiful handmade jewelry, works of art and, of course, apples will be among the items sold by food and crafts vendors at this year's Apple Festival.

Vendors will offer a wide variety of foods, which can be found in the food court between Caswell and Barnwell streets at the far end of Main Street.

There are between 200 and 225 vendors participating in the Apple Festival this year, said David Nicholson, festival executive director.

The fact that there is a waiting list for vendors to get spots every year is a testament to how popular and well-known the festival has become, he said, adding that it is one of the most sought-after venues for vendors.

"There is a lot of fierce competition, but we automatically give spaces away to apple growers," Nicholson said. "Ten percent of our total booth spaces are for nonprofits. This year we have 12 apple grower vendors with 24 spaces and we basically give them the corner booths, which are the most valuable spaces in any street fair."

Some of the varieties that will be available this year are gala, golden and red delicious, Rome and Mitsu and the honey crisp, a perennial best seller, he said.

Vendors are selected by lottery every year. Nonprofits wishing to participate must be headquartered in Henderson County and the majority of the money they raise must be spent in Henderson County, Nicholson said.

Visitors won't be disappointed in the fare when they get hungry. Corn on the cob, Greek food such as souvlaki (skewered kebabs) and lemonade will once again be offered. New offerings this year include Mark Henson and Dee's Kitchen, which will sell ribeye steak sandwiches and chicken tenders, along with some other surprises, Nicholson added, such as deep-fried Oreos.

"I'm looking for that to be very popular," he said with a laugh.

And again there will be three breakfasts on three days, sponsored by local civic groups. These events are a win-win because they provide festival-goers with an opportunity to enjoy breakfast at the festival and support a good cause, as proceeds go toward local charities, Nicholson said.

The Kiwanis Club of Hendersonville will have its pancake breakfast from 7-10 a.m. Friday at First Baptist Church. The Hendersonville Lions Club will have its breakfast from 7-10:30 a.m. Saturday, also at First Baptist Church. On Sunday, Elks Lodge No. 1616 will serve breakfast from 7 a.m. to noon at the lodge.

The cost of breakfast at all three events is $6 per person.

In addition to food, arts and crafts vendors can be found in abundance. Local craftsmen will sell hand-painted gourds, birdhouses, piggy banks in different shapes and even sculptures made out of cinnamon.

Festival attendees will also have a chance to have their say on an issue regarding the state's new Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan that is being considered. People will be able to stop by the booth and look at what is being proposed and provide input, Nicholson said.

Wingate Pharmacy School will also have a booth in the festival. Representatives of the school, which opened to students last year, will have information about its programs and about health issues. Magnetized Vials of Life medical cards that can be put on a refrigerator door will be handed out.

<p>Cold and creamy ice cream, beautiful handmade jewelry, works of art and, of course, apples will be among the items sold by food and crafts vendors at this year's Apple Festival. </p><p>Vendors will offer a wide variety of foods, which can be found in the food court between Caswell and Barnwell streets at the far end of Main Street.</p><p>There are between 200 and 225 vendors participating in the Apple Festival this year, said David Nicholson, festival executive director. </p><p>The fact that there is a waiting list for vendors to get spots every year is a testament to how popular and well-known the festival has become, he said, adding that it is one of the most sought-after venues for vendors. </p><p>"There is a lot of fierce competition, but we automatically give spaces away to apple growers," Nicholson said. "Ten percent of our total booth spaces are for nonprofits. This year we have 12 apple grower vendors with 24 spaces and we basically give them the corner booths, which are the most valuable spaces in any street fair."</p><p>Some of the varieties that will be available this year are gala, golden and red delicious, Rome and Mitsu and the honey crisp, a perennial best seller, he said.</p><p>Vendors are selected by lottery every year. Nonprofits wishing to participate must be headquartered in Henderson County and the majority of the money they raise must be spent in Henderson County, Nicholson said.</p><p>Visitors won't be disappointed in the fare when they get hungry. Corn on the cob, Greek food such as souvlaki (skewered kebabs) and lemonade will once again be offered. New offerings this year include Mark Henson and Dee's Kitchen, which will sell ribeye steak sandwiches and chicken tenders, along with some other surprises, Nicholson added, such as deep-fried Oreos.</p><p>"I'm looking for that to be very popular," he said with a laugh. </p><p>And again there will be three breakfasts on three days, sponsored by local civic groups. These events are a win-win because they provide festival-goers with an opportunity to enjoy breakfast at the festival and support a good cause, as proceeds go toward local charities, Nicholson said. </p><p>The Kiwanis Club of Hendersonville will have its pancake breakfast from 7-10 a.m. Friday at First Baptist Church. The Hendersonville Lions Club will have its breakfast from 7-10:30 a.m. Saturday, also at First Baptist Church. On Sunday, Elks Lodge No. 1616 will serve breakfast from 7 a.m. to noon at the lodge. </p><p>The cost of breakfast at all three events is $6 per person.</p><p>In addition to food, arts and crafts vendors can be found in abundance. Local craftsmen will sell hand-painted gourds, birdhouses, piggy banks in different shapes and even sculptures made out of cinnamon.</p><p>Festival attendees will also have a chance to have their say on an issue regarding the state's new Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan that is being considered. People will be able to stop by the booth and look at what is being proposed and provide input, Nicholson said. </p><p>Wingate Pharmacy School will also have a booth in the festival. Representatives of the school, which opened to students last year, will have information about its programs and about health issues. Magnetized Vials of Life medical cards that can be put on a refrigerator door will be handed out.</p>